Williams, who played in the second and third games of the tournament, said, "In 1999, the players were on a high - and we were at home.

"We travelled round Wales before the tournament and there was a massive buzz.

"There's less pressure on us this time because people are not going to expect too much of us.

"The spirit in the camp is as good, if not better, than in 1999. The only thing we are lacking compared to then is experience.

"We are a young side, but there's loads of talent there.

"Look at Gethin Jenkins and Robert Sidoli. They have taken to international rugby as if they had 30 or 40 caps. They have been superb and are only going to get better.

"We just need a bit more confidence and self-belief and we could surprise a few people in the World Cup.

"If we play as well as we can, we shouldn't be frightened of anybody."

Bold words, considering Hansen's men are on the worst losing run in Welsh international history.

But flanker Williams feels this doesn't tell the full story.

"We are definitely a better team than the ranking shows," he maintains. "We've had two real hidings in the last nine games - against New Zealand and France. Apart from that, we've been really competitive in the matches.

"We should have beaten Ireland and we played really well against England.

"What we need is a win. We need it desperately, however it comes.

"A lot of the players in this team haven't experienced that. They've got nine or 10 Wales caps and they haven't won a game.

"If we can just pinch a couple of wins in August it will give us a lot of confidence going into the World Cup."

Wales have four warm-up matches next month against Ireland away and at home to England, Romania and Scotland.

After those games, coach Hansen will finalise his World Cup squad of 30 from the group of around 50 players currently in contention.

Williams says making the plane for Australia is a burning desire of everyone within the training squad.

"It doesn't get any bigger for your national side than to play in the World Cup," said the 27-year-old. "I was lucky enough to be involved in the last one and it was a great experience.

"It would be something new for a lot of these players and they really want to be part of it.

"They realise there are places up for grabs and everyone is going to be busting a gut to get out there.

"Even in training, you can see it's driving people on.

"There is real competition for places right the way through the squad.

"We left a lot of world class players at home last month in the likes of Kevin Morgan, Gareth Thomas, Iestyn Harris and Dafydd James.

"They are top players and when you bring them back into the squad it strengthens it no end and increases the competition.

"So there will no problem in terms of motivation for these August internationals, because the carrot is there of the World Cup. People can't wait until they start playing."

Come the autumn, Wales will be pooled with New Zealand, Italy, Tonga and Canada, with the top two going through to the last eight.

"It will be a failure if we don't get to the quarter-finals," admits Williams.

"But we are hoping to get there and then it's the knockout stage. Anything can happen after that.

"We know New Zealand will be a tough game and the three other sides in our group are capable of beating us if we don't play up to standard.

"But there's no reason why we can't get results against the three of them if we are at our best

"I would say three sides are at exactly an identical level. We know what to expect from them.

"Canada are a really tough physical side, so too Tonga. The way they play is similar to Fiji, who we beat last November.

"Obviously we know about Italy. We let ourselves down badly against them in the Six Nations. It was a poor performance and we will looking to put that right."

And what about the tournament as a whole? Who are Williams' tips to lift the trophy?

"I would say England are favourites, although I've got a sneaky feeling for France," he concluded.